DESIGN REVIEW BOARD MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
AUGUST 8, 2006
I. CALL TO ORDER
Kevin Gray, Acting Chairman, called the Special Meeting of the Design Review Board to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room of the Simsbury Town Offices. The following members were present: Richard Schoenhardt, William Gardner, Linda Kennedy, John Stewart, Mark Naccarato and Alternates John Carroll, Charles Stephenson and Anthony Drapelick. Also in attendance were Howard Beach, Zoning Compliance Officer, Lois Laczko, Commission Clerk, and other interested parties.
II. APPOINTMENT OF ALTERNATES
Acting Chairman Gray appointed Mr. Stephenson to serve for Mr. Dahlquist.
III. PRESENTATION(s), DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE VOTE
a. Application of Erich Kronschnable, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for site modifications associated with the creation of the Hopmeadow Beer Garden on property located at Pettibone Tavern, 4 Hartford Road.
Christine Diffley, Director of Guest Services, Pettibone Tavern, spoke on behalf of this application. Also in attendance was Wayne Bursey, Director of the Simsbury Chamber of Commerce. Miss Diffley discussed the revised plan which shows the table placement now changed to make the Hopmeadow Beer Garden more handicap accessible. This also gives the beer garden more family style seating. She said that there is a small 6-foot by 8-foot stage (1-inch in height) tucked into the woods by the arbor near the front entrance to the building. There are two portable kegs that are rolled in at night along with a cooler. There is also a regular sized grill and a wet bar. This beer garden area is completely fenced in to protect from minors. There is also one employee always on that side of the fence.
Ms. Diffley said that they thought that the Pettibone Tavern Hopmeadow Beer Garden would be of interest to the Town of Simsbury because they were utilizing a space that was not being used. This also would increase their revenue and also employ people during the summer months that would not have been employed because it is so slow inside. The hours are less than a typical bar. They close on Sunday’s at 8:00 p.m. and open at 2:00 p.m. They have had no problems with negative customers.
Wayne Bursey, 100 Grist Mill Road, Director of Simsbury Chamber of Commerce, said that they are always promoting business in town. He is a customer of Pettibone Tavern and would like to see them succeed. The restaurants in the area are very competitive. He asked if there is anything temporary that Pettibone Tavern could do to continue the operation outside until there is final determination from the Zoning Commission.
Chairman Gray said that they are interested in the design issues such as lighting, signage, covers, umbrellas and booths. Ms. Diffley said that the signage is non-existent and will continue that way. The only thing that would be at the tables would be small table tents explaining the menu. She said that there are umbrellas out there as it does get hot during the day. They usually do have signage on them, such as advertisement of a wine company. She said that after 4:00 p.m. there is usually enough shade so she takes the umbrellas down. Ms. Diffley said that there are a couple of lights on the street side that are on posts. They are of a colonial design and they also are existing lights. Chairman Gray asked where the fencing is located. She said that there is protective fencing from the road (Hopmeadow Street) and also a time period correct
picket fence that blocks in the beer area and encloses all the way to the front door. Chairman Gray asked if this was a Liquor Control Commission issue. Mr. Beach said that the Liquor Control Commission does not have a regulation for a fence. If the towns do, the liquor commission will enforce it as part of their licensing. Ms. Diffley said that the equipment is on casters and is rolled in every night.
Chairman Gray asked if it is grass or brick underneath the beer garden. Ms. Diffley explained where the paved area is located and where the grass area is located. She said that they would be happy to put in a slab or asphalt if it is required. Chairman Gray asked if the only access to the beer garden is through the restaurant. Ms. Diffley said that there is an access through the front door at which you would go through an arbor. Mr. Carroll asked if they had spoken to the neighbors about the band noise. Ms. Diffley said that they spoke with the closest neighbor and there is not a problem. She said that also the stage is a 6-foot x 8-foot removable platform.
Mr. Schoenhardt said that he agrees with the suggestion of paving the area where the equipment goes. He also suggested that shrubbery be planted on the back side of that equipment so it will not be visible from the street. Mr. Stephenson asked if there will be a tent over the band during inclement weather. Ms. Diffley said that she would like to be allowed to do that. The music is performed only by solo performers and also acoustic. Mr. Stephenson said that he likes the beer garden and the umbrellas, but he would like to see other alternatives where the equipment could be more integrated with the building. It could be screened against the building and not sitting out as it is. Ms. Diffley showed on the plan why that could be a problem as an HVAC unit is located
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AUGUST 8, 2006 SPECIAL MEETING
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by the building. It is currently covered by a lattice structure. Also, they do not want to block any handicap accessible entrance. She said that also where the HVAC unit is located there is an all glass dining room. If they do place the equipment there the people in the dining room would be looking out at the back of the equipment.
Mr. Schoenhardt asked if the people would be waited on by a wait staff. Ms. Diffley said that the people go up to the folding tables so there is a control in liquor. It is a self service situation, but there are two people employed at all times out there. One is cooking and the other is pouring beer. Mr. Naccarato said that overall this is an appropriate use for that terrace. With attention to screening of the equipment and possibly the combination of another picket fence and plantings he feels that they will address the Board’s concerns regarding the view of the back side of the equipment. Mr. Gardner said that he noted that the area is very decorative as he drives past it. He does agree that screening (lattice work or plantings) is needed from the road to the side where the equipment is located.
Mr. Gardner made a motion to recommend for approval to the Zoning Commission the application of Erich Kronschnable, Owner, for a Site Plan Amendment for site modifications associated with the creation of the Hopmeadow Beer Garden on property located at Pettibone Tavern, 4 Hartford Road, as presented on Drawing No. Beer Garden dated 8/1/2006 with the addition of screening and plantings to better hide the portable grill and equipment. Lattice work is appropriate and also the paving of the ramp way to bring in the cooking and dispensing equipment when not in use. There is also no signage and no change in lighting. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stewart and passed unanimously.
b. Application of Steve Walker, Grove Capital, LLC – Owner, and Leo Laboissere, Starbucks – Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment to construct a trash enclosure behind Starbucks on property located at 930 Hopmeadow Street.
Leo Laboissere, Facility Service Manager, Starbucks Coffee Company – New England South, spoke on behalf of this application. They are proposing to construct a trash enclosure in an alcove in back of the building in which Starbucks is located. This is a safety issue as currently the employees have to carry the trash in the evening down back stairs to trash containers on Iron Horse Boulevard. The enclosure will be an 8-foot x 8-foot corral with white vinyl fencing with a gate. The location is the Post Office side of the building. Mr. Laboissere showed on a site plan where the enclosure will be located. He said that Paine’s will pick up their garbage. Mr. Stewart asked the height of the proposed fencing. Mr. Laboissere said it would be 4-feet in height. Mr. Stewart suggested 5-feet so it would also screen all the electrical boxes.
Mr. Laboissere said that they could do 5-feet. The fence style is called Chesterfield.
Mr. Laboissere said that Steve Walker has asked him to cut back a little on the curbing, redo it and make the curb nicer. He showed the board members a picture of the area Mr. Walker has asked him to redo. He said that the area is now five-feet wide. It will be seven-feet wide after they redo the curbing. Mr. Naccarato said that the apron outside of the containment area will be asphalt and it will tie into existing asphalt. A board member asked if the pad is asphalt. Mr. Laboissere said that the pad is concrete so he can wash it down. It has to be sanitary.
Chairman Gray asked if there will any changes to the lighting. Mr. Laboissere thought that there would be enough lighting from the Post Office side, but he is not sure. There are no lighting changes at this time. There are also no signage changes.
Mr. Naccarato made a motion to recommend approval to the Zoning Commission the application of Steve Walker, Grove Capital, LLC – Owner, and Leo Laboissere, Starbucks – Agent, for a Site Plan Amendment to construct a trash enclosure behind Starbucks on property located at 930 Hopmeadow Street. This proposal, in its current form, is generally consistent with the guidelines for community design, and recommends its approval if the applicant agrees to modify the fence enclosure to be five-feet tall and the style of the fence will be Chesterfield as presented on drawing number C1.0 dated May 22, 2006 entitled Site Plan. There will be no lighting or signage changes associated with this enclosure. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gardner and passed unanimously.
Mr. Stephenson made a motion to amend the agenda to add an informal presentation to this agenda. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stewart and passed unanimously.
IV. INFORMAL PRESENTATION
a. Application of Macmen Enterprises, Owner, Ronald J. Fortune, Consulting and Design, LLC – Agent, for Signage at the Gulf Station, 1340 Hopmeadow Street.
Ronald Fortune, Consulting and Design, LLC, spoke on behalf of this application. He said that they are adding a Gulf sign and the color blue to the existing canopy. The two forward edges will have the word Gulf and rest will be blue with a white border.
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AUGUST 8, 2006 SPECIAL MEETING
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Chairman Gray said as this is an informal presentation they cannot give him a formal approval. He will have to come back for a formal presentation. Mr. Fortune said that is understood.
V. DISCUSSION
None
VI. CORRESPONDENCE
None
VII. STAFF REPORT(s)
None
VIII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES of June 27, 2006 and July 11, 2006
Mr. Stephenson moved to approve as amended the minutes of June 27, 2006. The motion was seconded by Mr. Gardner and passed unanimously. Ms. Kennedy and Mr. Schoenhardt abstained.
Ms. Kennedy moved to approve the minutes of July 11, 2006. The motion was seconded by Mr. Naccarato and passed unanimously. Mr. Drapelick and Mr. Stewart abstained.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Gardner moved to adjourn the meeting at 6:58 p.m. The motion was seconded by Mr. Stephenson and passed unanimously.
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Kevin Gray, Secretary (Acting Chairman for this meeting)
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